Willian José confirms move to Grêmio

Willian José took time in the aftermath of São Paulo’s controversial Copa Sul-Americana victory on Wednesday night to announce that he will be playing for Grêmio next season.

Willian José, 21, who was believed to have already agreed to join Santos, will fly to Porto Alegre on Thursday or Friday to put pen to paper on an 18-month contract.

“I am very happy to have spent two years in São Paulo. Now it is time to move to Grêmio. Hopefully I will be very happy there too,” he told a reporter from Fox Sports.

The striker, who spent most of the season as a backup for Luis Fabiano, was often booed by fans at Morumbi, despite an impressive haul of 15 goals in 44 games for São Paulo.

Grêmio coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo is believed to have identified the player to new president Fabio Koff, who after finding out the striker had yet to agree a deal with Santos, moved to bring the player to Porto Alegre.

Grêmio are well stocked with strikers after signing Kleber and Marcelo Moreno last season, but after a number of injuries the club decided to invest in Willian José, as they also see his potential for the future.